Typhoid- Its Symptoms, Treatment and Preventive Measures!!!

Symptoms

Symptoms normally begin between 6 and 30 days after exposure to the bacteria.

The two major symptoms of typhoid are fever and rash. Typhoid fever is particularly high, gradually increasing over several days up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or 39 to 40 degrees Celsius.

The rash, which does not affect every patient, consists of rose-colored spots, particularly on the neck and abdomen.

Other symptoms can include:

·         weakness

·         abdominal pain

·         constipation

·         headaches

Rarely, symptoms might include confusion, diarrhea, and vomiting, but this is not normally severe.

In serious, untreated cases, the bowel can become perforated. This can lead to peritonitis - an infection of the tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen, which has been reported as fatal in between 5 and 62 percent of cases.

Another infection, paratyphoid, is caused by Salmonella enterica. It has similar symptoms to typhoid, but it is less likely to be fatal.

Treatment

The only effective treatment for typhoid is antibiotics.

Other than antibiotics, it is important to re-hydrate by drinking adequate water.

In more severe cases, where the bowel has become perforated, surgery may be required.

Typhoid antibiotic resistance

As with a number of other bacterial diseases, there is currently concern about the growing resistance of antibiotics to S. typhi.

Avoid taking over the counter medications.

Always if you notice signs and symptoms of the condition consult a medical doctor for investigations before you start the medications.

A prescription from a doctor will allow you to use the better medications available in the market and help the global movement to reduce drug resistant.

Prevention

Countries with less access to clean water and washing facilities typically have a higher number of typhoid cases.

Vaccination

Before traveling to a high-risk area, getting vaccinated against typhoid fever is recommended.

This can be achieved by oral medication or a one-off injection:

·         Oral: a live, attenuated vaccine.

·         Shot, an inactivated vaccine, administered 2 weeks before travel.

Vaccines are not 100 percent effective and caution should still be exercised when eating and drinking.

Vaccination should not be started if the individual is currently ill or if they are under 6 years of age. Anyone with HIV should not take the live, oral dose.

The vaccine may have adverse effects. One in 100 people will experience a fever. After the oral vaccine, there may be gastrointestinal problems, nausea, and headache. However, severe side effects are rare with either vaccine.

The current vaccines are not always effective, and because typhoid is so prevalent in poorer countries, more research needs to be done to find better ways of preventing its spread.

Eliminating typhoid

Even when the symptoms of typhoid have passed, it is still possible to be carrying the bacteria.

This makes it hard to stamp out the disease, because carriers whose symptoms have finished may be less careful when washing food or interacting with others.

People traveling in Africa, South America, and Asia, and India in particular, should be careful when eating fruits and all uncooked stuff.

Avoiding infection.

Typhoid is spread by contact and ingestion of infected human feces. This can happen through an infected water source or when handling food.

The following are some general rules to follow when traveling to help minimize the chance of typhoid infection:

·         Drink bottled water, preferably carbonated.

·         If bottled water cannot be sourced, ensure water is boiled for at least one minute before consuming.

·         Be wary of eating anything that has been handled by someone else.

·         Avoid eating at street food stands, and only eat food that is still hot.

·         Do not have ice in drinks.

·         Avoid raw fruit and vegetables, peel fruit yourself, and do not eat the peel.